Butt closures and organizer assemblies therefor

ABSTRACT

An organizer assembly includes a primary basket extending along a longitudinal axis between a first open end and a second closed end, the primary basket defining an interior. The organizer assembly further includes a bracket assembly extending along a transverse axis at the first open end of the basket, the bracket assembly including a plurality of hinge assemblies. The organizer assembly further includes a plurality of organizer trays, each of the plurality of organizer trays rotatably connectable to the bracket assembly at one of the plurality of hinge assemblies. Each of the plurality of organizer trays is rotatable between a first position wherein the organizer tray is aligned along the longitudinal axis and a second position wherein the organizer tray is aligned along the transverse axis.

PRIORITY STATEMENT

The application is a National Stage patent application ofPCT/US2019/032120, filed on May 14, 2019, which claims the benefit ofpriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/671,132,filed May 14, 2018, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.62/812,632, filed Mar. 1, 2019, both of which are incorporated byreference herein in their entireties.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to closures, such as for fiberoptic cable connections, and more specifically to improved organizerassemblies for butt closures.

BACKGROUND

Certain closures, also referred to as “butt” or “domed” closures, areutilized in outdoor environments to facilitate the connection oftransmission cables such as fiber optic cables. The cables enter theclosure through a sealed base, and connection of the cable elementsoccurs within the closure. In the case of fiber optic cables,spliced-together optical fibers are held within the closure.

Many fiber organizer assemblies utilized in known butt closuresgenerally have edges that can cause buffer tubes to kink if they arepulled over these edges. Further, in many cases, trays of the organizerassemblies must be held in the vertical or up position while other traysare being populated with fiber and while splicing is being done. Stillfurther, splice modules utilized in such trays provide limitedflexibility with respect to the types of splices and/or other componentsthat can be held therein.

Accordingly, improved organizer assemblies for use with butt closureswould be advantageous. Specifically, organizer assemblies which addressone of more of the above-stated deficiencies would be advantageous.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in thefollowing description, or may be obvious from the description, or may belearned through practice of the invention.

In accordance with one embodiment, an organizer assembly for a buttclosure is provided. The organizer assembly defines a mutuallyorthogonal coordinate system which includes a longitudinal axis, alateral axis, and a transverse axis. The organizer assembly includes aprimary basket extending along the longitudinal axis between a firstopen end and a second closed end, the primary basket defining aninterior. The organizer assembly further includes a bracket assemblyextending along the transverse axis at the first open end of the basket,the bracket assembly including a plurality of hinge assemblies. Theorganizer assembly further includes a plurality of organizer trays, eachof the plurality of organizer trays rotatably connectable to the bracketassembly at one of the plurality of hinge assemblies. Each of theplurality of organizer trays is rotatable between a first positionwherein the organizer tray is aligned along the longitudinal axis and asecond position wherein the organizer tray is aligned along thetransverse axis.

In accordance with some embodiments, each of the plurality of organizertrays includes a plurality of positioning slots and a positioning tab.The positioning tab of one of the plurality of organizer trays isinserted in one of the plurality of positioning slots of a neighboringorganizer tray when the plurality of organizer trays is in the firstposition. The positioning tab of the one of the plurality of organizertrays is inserted in another one of the plurality of positioning slotsof the neighboring organizer tray when the plurality of organizer traysis in the second position.

In accordance with other embodiments, the organizer assembly furtherincludes a plurality of splice modules removably connected within eachof the plurality of organizer trays. Each of the plurality of splicemodules includes a base and a plurality of partitions extending from thebase. Neighboring partitions of the plurality of partitions definechannels therebetween, each channel defining a longitudinal channelaxis. Each of the plurality of splice modules further includes one ormore arms extending from each neighboring partition into each channeldefined by the neighboring partition at an angle to the longitudinalchannel axis. The one or more arms extending into a channel from a firstpartition of the neighboring partitions extend in a direction oppositethe direction of the one or more arms extending into the channel from asecond partition of the neighboring partitions.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendedfigures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a butt closure in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an organizer assembly, with a secondarybasket connected thereon, in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of an organizer assembly, with asecondary basket connected thereon, in accordance with embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an organizer assembly, with a coverplate provided thereon, in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an organizer assembly, with a pluralityof organizer trays connected thereon in first positions, in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of an organizer assembly,illustrating hinge assemblies and organizer trays with the organizertrays in first positions, in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 7 is a side view of an organizer assembly, with a plurality oforganizer trays connected thereon in second positions, in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a portion of an organizer assembly,illustrating hinge assemblies and organizer trays with the organizertrays in second positions, in accordance with embodiments of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a module mounting location inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a splice module in accordance withembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of a splice module in accordancewith embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a side view of organizer trays in first positions inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a side view of organizer trays in second positions inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 14 is a side view of organizer trays removed and stacked inaccordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, notlimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be madein the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit ofthe invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as partof one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 14, embodiments of butt closures 10 andorganizer assemblies in accordance with the present disclosure areprovided. Closures 10 in accordance with the present disclosure, and inparticular the organizer assemblies thereof, may advantageously provideimproved routing features which reduce kinking and attenuation risks.Additionally or alternatively, closures 10 and organizer baskets thereofin accordance with the present disclosure may advantageously provideimproved features for securing and positioning organizer trays thereofin a variety of positions, thus advantageously allowing efficient andeffective fiber-populating, splicing, etc. Additionally oralternatively, closures 10 and organizer baskets thereof in accordancewith the present disclosure, and in particular the splice modules whichmay be utilized with such closures 10 and/or organizer baskets, mayadvantageously provide improved flexibility with respect to the types ofsplices and/or other components that can be held therein.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a closure 10 in accordance with the presentdisclosure includes a cover 20. Cover 20 is generally a domed coverwhich defines an interior 22 and an opening 24 which provides access tothe interior 22. Cover 20 may include an inner surface 26 which definesthe interior 22 and an opposing outer surface 28 which is exposed to theexternal environment.

An organizer assembly 30 may be insertable into (and thus disposedwithin) the interior 22, such as along a longitudinal axis of theclosure 10. Organizer assembly 30 may include one or more organizertrays 200 and/or other suitable components for facilitating transmissioncomponent connections. For example, in the case of use with fiber opticcables, splices between optical fibers thereof may be housed in thevarious splice trays.

A base 40 may be insertable at least partially into (and thus disposedat least partially within) the interior 22. In some embodiments,organizer assembly 30 may be connected to the base 40, such thatinsertion of the base 40 causes insertion of the tray assembly 30 intothe interior 22. Cables 42 may be inserted through the base 40 into theinterior 22, and connection between transmission elements thereof (suchas optical fibers) may be made within the interior 22, such as in theorganizer trays 200 of the organizer assembly 30.

FIGS. 2 through 14 illustrate various embodiments of organizerassemblies 30 and components thereof in accordance with embodiments ofthe present disclosure. A mutually orthogonal coordinate system may bedefined for organizer assemblies 30 in accordance with the presentdisclosure, and may include a mutually orthogonal longitudinal axis 102,lateral axis 104, and transverse axis 106.

Referring in particular to FIGS. 2 through 4, organizer assemblies 30 inaccordance with the present disclosure may include a primary basket 110.The primary basket 110 generally forms at least a portion of the baseexterior of the organizer assembly 30, and includes an exterior surface112 and an interior surface 114. The primary basket 110 may extend alongthe longitudinal axis 102 between a first end 116 and a second end 118.The first end 116 may be an open end, as shown, such that cables 42 ortransmission elements thereof being directed along and parallel to thelongitudinal axis 102 can enter or exit an interior 120 of the primarybasket 110 through the first end 116. The second end 118 may be a closedend, as shown, such that cables 42 or transmission elements thereofbeing directed along and parallel to the longitudinal axis 102 cannotenter an interior 120 of the primary basket 110 through the second end118, and instead encounter a surface of the primary basket 110.

The primary basket 110 may further extend along the lateral axis 104between a first side 122 and a second side 124, both of which may beclosed (as discussed above with respect to second end 118). In exemplaryembodiments, a length between the first end 116 and second end 118 isgreater than a length between the first side 122 and the second side124. Further, in exemplary embodiments, transitions between the closedsecond end 118 portion and a base portion 126, the closed first sideportion 122 and the base portion 126, the closed second side portion 124and the base portion 126, the closed second end 118 portion and closedfirst side portion 122, and/or the closed second end 118 portion andclosed second side portion 124 are curved.

Basket 110 may generally be utilized to house excess cables 42 and/ortransmission elements thereof as the cables 42 and/or transmissionelements thereof are routed through the closure 10 and organizerassembly 30 thereof.

Primary basket 110 may further include an upper peripheral lip 128,which may extend between the first end 116 and second end 118, such ason the sides 122, 124, and may further extend between the sides 122,124, such as along the closed second end 118. For example, the lip 128may extend along an upper edge (along the traverse axis 106) of theprimary basket 110, such as along the sides 122, 124 and second end 118.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a cover plate 130 may beprovided. Cover plate 130 may be removably positioned on the basket 110,such as on the lip 128 thereof. Hook-and-loop fasteners or othersuitable fastening apparatus may be utilized to removably fasten thecover plate 130 to the basket 110. Cover plate 130 may protect and helpto secure portions of cables 42 and transmission elements thereof whichare disposed in and routed through the interior 120 of basket 110.

In some embodiments, basket 110 may further include a plurality ofretainer tabs 132, each of which extends from the basket 110 into theinterior 120. The tabs 132 may be connected to the basket 110 at theupper edge of the basket 110, such as adjacent the lip 128. Further, inexemplary embodiments, the tabs 132 are removable. In some embodiments,for example, the tabs 132 may be removed when a secondary basket (asdiscussed herein) is connected. Tabs 132 may generally assist in routingand retaining cables 42 and transmission elements in the interior 120during assembly, splicing, etc., thereof.

A connector shaft 138 may extend from the first end 116 along thelongitudinal axis 102, such that at least a portion of the connectorshaft 138 is exterior to the primary basket 110. The connector shaft 138may connect to the base 40, thus connecting the organizer assembly 30and base 40 together.

Referring now in particular to FIGS. 2 through 4 and 6 through 8, abracket assembly 140 may extend along the transverse axis 106 from theprimary basket 110, such as at the first end 116. Bracket assembly 140may include a main body 142 and a plurality of hinge assemblies 144. Thehinge assemblies 144 may be spaced apart in a linear array along thetransverse axis 106. In exemplary embodiments, the hinge assemblies 144are stepped along the transverse axis 106. In these embodiments, thelinear array of the hinge assemblies 144 is angled relative to thetransverse axis 106, rather than being directed along or parallel to thetransverse axis 106. At least the portion of the main body 142 whichincludes the hinge assemblies 144 may also be so angled. Such angle maybe between the transverse axis 106 and the longitudinal axis 102, asshown.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, organizer assemblies 30 in accordance withthe present disclosure may include a second basket 150 which may berotatably and removably connectable to the bracket assembly 140. FIGS. 2and 3 illustrate the secondary basket 150 rotatably connected to thebracket assembly 140. In exemplary embodiments, the secondary basket 150may be connected to the bracket assembly 140 below the plurality ofhinge assemblies 144 along the transverse axis 106, such as between theplurality of hinge assemblies 144 (such as the lower-most hinge assembly144) and the interior surface 114 of the primary basket 110 along thetransverse axis 106. The secondary basket 150 may be rotatable between afirst position wherein the secondary basket 150 is aligned along thelongitudinal axis 102 and a second position wherein the secondary basket150 is aligned along the transverse axis 106 or at an angle between thelongitudinal axis 102 and transverse axis 106 (as shown in FIGS. 2 and3). In exemplary embodiments, the secondary basket 150 may be removable,such that it can be utilized as needed for cable 42 (and transmissionelements thereof) routing and set aside/discarded when not needed.

The secondary basket 150 includes an exterior surface 152 and aninterior surface 154. The secondary basket 150 may extend (such as alongthe longitudinal axis 102 when in the first position) between a firstend 156 and a second end 158. The first end 156 may be an open end, asshown, such that cables 42 or transmission elements thereof beingdirected along and parallel to the longitudinal axis 102 can enter orexit an interior 160 of the secondary basket 150 through the first end156, when the secondary basket 150 is in the first position. The secondend 158 may be a closed end, as shown, such that cables 42 ortransmission elements thereof being directed along and parallel to thelongitudinal axis 102 cannot enter an interior 160 of the secondarybasket 150 through the second end 158, and instead encounter a surfaceof the primary basket 110, when the secondary basket 150 is in the firstposition.

The secondary basket 150 may further extend along the lateral axis 104between a first side 162 and a second side 164, both of which may beclosed (as discussed above with respect to second end 118). In exemplaryembodiments, a length between the first end 156 and second end 158 isgreater than a length between the first side 162 and the second side164. Further, in exemplary embodiments, transitions between the closedsecond end 158 portion and a base portion 166, the closed first sideportion 162 and the base portion 166, the closed second side portion 164and the base portion 166, the closed second end 158 portion and closedfirst side portion 162, and/or the closed second end 158 portion andclosed second side portion 164 are curved.

In exemplary embodiments, the area of the interior 160 may be less thanthe area of the interior 120, the length between the first end 156 andsecond end 158 may be less than the length between the first end 116 andsecond end 118, and/or the length between the first side 162 and secondside 164 is less than the length between the first side 122 and secondside 124, such that the secondary basket 150 can fit at least partiallywithin the primary basket 110 (such as the interior 120 thereof).

Secondary basket 150 may further include an upper peripheral lip 168,which may extend between the first end 156 and second end 158, such ason the sides 162, 164, and may further extend between the sides 162,164, such as along the closed second end 158. For example, the lip 168may extend along an upper edge (along the traverse axis 106) of thesecondary basket 150, such as along the sides 162, 164 and second end158.

In some embodiments, basket 150 may further include a plurality ofretainer tabs 172, each of which extends from the basket 150 into theinterior 160. The tabs 172 may be connected to the basket 150 at theupper edge of the basket 150, such as adjacent the lip 168. Tabs 172 maygenerally assist in routing and retaining cables 42 and transmissionelements in the interior 160 during assembly, splicing, etc., thereof.

One or more connector arms 174 may extend from the first end 156 (suchas along the longitudinal axis 102 when the secondary basket 150 is inthe first position). The connector arms 174 may be removably connectedto the bracket assembly 140, thus rotatably connecting the secondarybasket 150 thereto. For example, protrusions 176 provided on the arms174 may be inserted in depressions 178 defined in the main body 142 torotatably connect the secondary basket 150 thereto.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 through 4 and 6 through 8, each hingeassembly 144 may include at least one positioning tab 180 and at leastone release tab 182. In some embodiments, for example, each hingeassembly 144 may include two positioning tabs 180 and a release tab 182,with the release tab 182 disposed between the positioning tabs 180 alongthe lateral axis 104. Each positioning tab 180 may be a generallytapered protrusion extending along the transverse axis 106 from the mainbody 142. Each release tab 182 may extend along the longitudinal axis102 from the main body 142, and may thus protrude from the main body 142farther than the positioning tab(s) 180 along the longitudinal axis 102.

Each bracket assembly 144 may further include one or more depressions184 (which may for example be through-holes) defined in the main body142.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 through 8 and 12 through 14, organizerassemblies 30 in accordance with the present disclosure may furtherinclude one or more organizer trays 200, such as in exemplaryembodiments a plurality of organizer trays 200.

Each organizer tray 200 is rotatably connectable, and thus may berotatably connected, to the bracket assembly 140, such as to one of theplurality of hinge assemblies 144. Each organizer tray 200 may berotatable, such as between a first position wherein the organizer tray200 is aligned along the longitudinal axis 102 (as shown in FIGS. 5, 6,and 12) and a second position wherein the organizer tray 200 is alignedalong the transverse axis 106 (as shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 13).

For example, each organizer tray 200 may include a main body 202. Mainbody 202 may, for example, include a base wall 204, a first sidewall206, a second sidewall 208, and a front wall 210, and may further definea rear end 212. First sidewall 206 and second sidewall 208 may be spacedapart along the lateral axis 104. Front wall 210 and rear end 212 may bespaced apart (such as along the longitudinal axis 102 when in the firstposition). The rear end 212 may be an open end, as shown, such thatcables 42 or transmission elements thereof being directed along andparallel to the longitudinal axis 102 can enter or exit an interior 214of the organizer tray 200 through the rear end 212, when the organizertray 200 is in the first position. The front wall 210 and sidewalls 206,208 may define a closed end and closed sides.

In some embodiments, a plurality of apertures 216 may be defined in thebase wall 204, such as at the rear end 212. Each aperture 216 may beutilized to secure a cable 42 (or transmission element thereof) directlyto the base wall 204 and organizer tray 200 thereof, such as using asuitable zip-tie or other suitable fastener. Notably, no additionalcable/transmission element securement components are included on theorganizer tray 200.

Organizer tray 200 may further include one or more connector arms 220which may extend from the main body 202. For example, each connector arm220 may extend from the base wall 204, such as along the transverse axis106 when in the first position. The connector arms 220 may be removablyconnected to the hinge assembly 144, thus rotatably connecting theorganizer tray 200 thereto. For example, protrusions 222 provided on thearms 220 may be inserted in depressions 184 to rotatably connect theorganizer tray 200 to the hinge assembly 144.

As discussed, each of the plurality of organizer trays 200 may berotatable between a first position and a second position. Further, eachorganizer tray 200 may advantageously be releasably securable in thesecond position, thus facilitating efficient loading of cables 42 andtransmission elements thereof, splicing, etc., into other organizertrays 200 and the assembly 30 generally. The hinge assembly 144 whichrotatable connects the organizer tray 200 to the bracket assembly 140may releasably secure the organizer tray 200 in the second position.

For example, in exemplary embodiments as illustrated in FIG. 8, the oneor more positioning tabs 182 of the associated hinge assembly 144 maycontact and releasably secure the organizer tray 200 in the secondposition. In some embodiments, the organizer tray 200 may include one ormore contact tabs 224, each of which extends from the rear end 212 ofthe body 202. When the organizer tray 200 is moved to the secondposition, each contact tab 224 may contact a positioning tab 182 andreleasably secure the organizer tray 200 in the second position. Forexample, each contact tab 224 may ride up the tapered front surface of apositioning tab 182 and then rest in contact with a rear surface of thepositioning tab 182 when the organizer tray 200 reaches the secondposition.

Further, in exemplary embodiments, the organizer tray 200 may bereleased from being secured in the second position to move from thesecond position to the first position. For example, movement of therelease tab 182 may cause movement of the positioning tab(s) 180 out ofcontact with the organizer tray 200 (such as the contact tab(s) 224)thereof such that the organizer tray 200 can move from the secondposition to the first position. In exemplary embodiments, a user mayapply force to the release tab 182 to cause such movement. For example,such force may pivot the release tab 182 and, due to a materialconnection between the release tab 182 and positioning tab(s) 180, alsocause pivoting of the positioning tab(s) 180.

Referring now in particular to FIGS. 12 through 14, each organizer tray200 may advantageously include features for ensuring and securing properpositioning of the organizer trays 200 relative to each other in thefirst and second positions. For example, each organizer tray 200 mayinclude one or more pluralities of positioning slots 230 and one or morepositioning tabs 232. The slots 230 may, for example, be defined inexterior surfaces of the first sidewall 206 and/or second sidewall 208,such as adjacent or at the base wall 204. The positioning tab(s) 232 mayextend from the first sidewall 206 and/or second sidewall 208, such asat a top of the organizer tray 200 opposite the base wall 204.

Advantageously, a positioning tab 232 of an organizer tray 200′ may beinserted into a different positioning slot 230 of a plurality ofpositioning slots 230 in a neighboring organizer tray 200″ depending onthe positions of the organizer trays 200. For example, a positioning tab232 of an organizer tray 200′ may be inserted in one of the plurality ofpositioning slots 230′ of a neighboring organizer tray 200″ when thesetrays 200′, 200″ (such as, for example, the plurality of organizer trays200) is in the first position (see FIG. 12). The positioning tab 232 ofthe organizer tray 200′ may be inserted in another one of the pluralityof positioning slots 230″ of the neighboring organizer tray 200″ whenthese trays 200′, 200″ (such as, for example, the plurality of organizertrays 200) is in the second position (see FIG. 13).

As discussed, in some embodiments the organizer trays 200 may beremovable from the bracket assembly 140 and organizer assembly 30generally. In some embodiments, the positioning tab 232 of the organizertray 200′ may further be inserted in yet another one of the plurality ofpositioning slots 230′″ of the neighboring organizer tray 200″ whenthese trays 200′, 200″ (such as, for example, the plurality of organizertrays 200) are removed from the bracket assembly 140 and stackedtogether, such as in a vertical array (see FIG. 14). Accordingly,organization and retention of the organizer trays 200 is advantageouslyfacilitated even when the organizer trays 200 are not connected to thebracket assembly 140 and organizer assembly 30 generally.

Referring now in particular to FIGS. 9 through 11, each organizer tray200 may generally accommodate one or more splice modules 250. Eachsplice module 250 may be removable connected to the organizer tray 200,such as to the base wall 204 thereof. For example, base wall 204 mayinclude a plurality of module mounting locations 240. In exemplaryembodiments, each of the module mounting locations 240 may include aplurality of leg slots 242 which may be defined through the base wall204 and one or more pluralities of positioning slots 244 which may bedefined through the base wall 204. The leg slots 242 may, for example,define at least a portion of a periphery of the module mounting location240, and may for example, be disposed at corners of the module mountinglocation 240. Each plurality of positioning slots 244 may be definedwithin the periphery of the module mounting location 240, and may forexample extend in a linear array. The leg slots 242 and positioningslots 244 may generally facilitate removable connection of a splicemodule 250 to the organizer tray at a module mounting location 240.

Each splice module 250 may, for example, include a base 252 and aplurality of legs 254 extending from the base 252, such as below thebase 252 as shown. The legs 254 may further extend from and at leastpartially define a periphery of the base 252, and may further bedisposed at corners of the base 252. To removably connect a splicemodule 250 to an organizer tray 200 at a module mounting location 240,each leg 254 may be inserted into one of the leg slots 242 of a modulemounting location 240. Further, a splice module 250 may include one ormore cantilevered arms 256 extending from the base 252, such as belowthe base 252 as shown. Each cantilevered arm 256 may include a tab 258at a distal end thereof. To removably connect a splice module 250 to anorganizer tray 200 at a module mounting location 240, the cantileveredarm 256, such as the tab 258 thereof, may be inserted in one of aplurality of positioning slots 244 of a module mounting location 240.

In exemplary embodiments, a splice module 250 may be removablyconnectable to an organizer tray 200, such as at a module mountinglocation 240, in multiple different orientations. For example, theplurality of positioning slots 244 may be oriented such that thecantilevered arm 256, such as the tab 258 thereof, may be inserted in adifferent one of a plurality of positioning slots 244 depending on theorientation of the splice module 250.

Splice modules 250 in accordance with the present disclosure mayadvantageously be dual material components. For example, splice modules250 may further include one or more overmolded portions 260 which aredisposed on portions of the base 252, such as on a lower surface andsidewalls thereof. The overmolded portions 260 advantageously provideimproved structural integrity, rigidity, and protection. The base 252,as well as the legs 254 and cantilevered arms 256 thereof, may forexample, be formed from a hard plastic such as polycarbonate or nylon.The overmolded portions 260 may be formed from suitable elastomers, suchas vulcanized elastomers.

Splice modules 250 in accordance with the present disclosure may furtherinclude a plurality of partitions 262, each of which may extend from thebase 252. The partitions 262 may be generally parallel to each other,and neighboring partitions 262 may define channels 264 therebetween.Each channel 264 may define and extend along a longitudinal channel axis265, as shown. Further, one or more arms 266 may extend from one or moreof the neighboring partitions 262 into one or more of the channels 264defined by such neighboring partitions 262. Such arms 266 may extendinto the channels 264 at an angle to the longitudinal channel axis 265,as shown. For example, a first partition 262′ of neighboring partitions262 may include one or more arms 266 extending into a channel 264defined by the neighboring partitions 262, and a second partition 262″of neighboring partitions 262 may include one or more arms 266 extendinginto the channel 264 defined by the neighboring partitions 262. Further,in exemplary embodiments as shown, the one or more arms 266 extendinginto a channel 264 from a first partition 262′ may extend in a directionopposite the direction of the one or more arms 266 extending into thechannel 264 from a second partition 262″.

In exemplary embodiments, partitions 262 and arms 266 of splice modules250 may be formed from suitable elastomers, such as vulcanizedelastomers.

Splice modules 250 in accordance with the present disclosure, and inparticular the configuration of the partitions 262 and arms 266, areparticularly advantageous due to their versatility and flexibility inaccommodating various components. For example, a channel 264 of a splicemodule 250 may be capable of holding triple-stacked single splicedtransmission elements, double-stacked ribbon spliced transmissionelements, mechanical splices, splitter modules from 1:2 to 1:32, PLCs,etc.

Organizer trays 200 may further include one or more retainer tabs 270,each of which may extend from a wall, such wall 206, 208, or 210, intothe interior 214. Such retainer tabs 270 may generally assist in routingand retaining cables 42 and transmission elements in the interior 214during assembly, splicing, etc., thereof.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal languages of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An organizer assembly for a butt closure, theorganizer assembly defining a mutually orthogonal coordinate systemcomprising a longitudinal axis, a lateral axis, and a transverse axis,the organizer assembly comprising: a primary basket extending along thelongitudinal axis between a first open end and a second closed end, theprimary basket defining an interior; a bracket assembly extending alongthe transverse axis at the first open end of the basket, the bracketassembly comprising a plurality of hinge assemblies; a plurality oforganizer trays, each of the plurality of organizer trays rotatablyconnectable to the bracket assembly at one of the plurality of hingeassemblies, each of the plurality of organizer trays rotatable between afirst position wherein the organizer tray is aligned along thelongitudinal axis and a second position wherein the organizer tray isaligned along the transverse axis, wherein each of the plurality oforganizer trays comprises a plurality of positioning slots and apositioning tab, wherein the positioning tab of one of the plurality oforganizer trays is inserted in one of the plurality of positioning slotsof a neighboring organizer tray when the plurality of organizer trays isin the first position, and wherein the positioning tab of the one of theplurality of organizer trays is inserted in another one of the pluralityof positioning slots of the neighboring organizer tray when theplurality of organizer trays is in the second position, and wherein thepositioning tab of one of the plurality of organizer trays is insertedin yet another one of the plurality of positioning slots of theneighboring organizer tray when the plurality of organizer trays isremoved from the bracket assembly and stacked together.
 2. The organizerassembly of claim 1, wherein the primary basket further comprises anupper peripheral lip extending between the first end and the second end,and wherein the primary basket further comprises a plurality ofremovable retainer tabs, each of the removable retainer tabs connectableto the primary basket adjacent the upper peripheral lip.
 3. Theorganizer assembly of claim 1, further comprising a secondary basketrotatably connectable to the bracket assembly below the plurality ofhinge assemblies along the transverse axis.
 4. The organizer assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of hinge assemblies is stepped along thetransverse axis, wherein the plurality of hinge assemblies is spacedapart in a linear array along the transverse axis.
 5. The organizerassembly of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of hinge assembliescomprises a positioning tab and a release tab, wherein each of theplurality of organizer trays contacts and is releasably secured in thesecond position by the positioning tab of one of the plurality of hingeassemblies.
 6. The organizer assembly of claim 5, wherein movement ofthe release tab causes movement of the positioning tab out of contactwith the organizer tray such that the organizer tray can move from thesecond position to the first position.
 7. The organizer assembly ofclaim 5, wherein each of the plurality of organizer trays comprises acontact tab extending from a rear end of a body of the organizer tray,the contact tab contacting the positioning tab in the second position.8. The organizer assembly of claim 1, wherein each organizer tray of theplurality of organizer trays comprises a base wall, wherein the basewall comprises a plurality of module mounting locations, each modulemounting location comprising a plurality of leg slots defined throughthe base wall and a plurality of positioning slots defined through thebase wall.
 9. The organizer assembly of claim 8, further comprising aplurality of splice modules, each of the plurality of splice modulescomprising a base, a plurality of legs extending below the base, and acantilevered arm extending below the base, the cantilevered armcomprising a tab, and wherein each leg is inserted in a leg slot and thetab is inserted in a positioning slot to removably connect one of theplurality of splice modules to one of the plurality of organizer trays.10. The organizer assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality ofsplice modules removably connected within each of the plurality oforganizer trays, each of the plurality of splice modules comprising abase and a plurality of partitions extending from the base, neighboringpartitions of the plurality of partitions defining channelstherebetween, each channel defining a longitudinal channel axis, andfurther comprising one or more arms extending from each neighboringpartition into each channel defined by the neighboring partition at anangle to the longitudinal channel axis, wherein the one or more armsextending into a channel from a first partition of the neighboringpartitions extend in a direction opposite the direction of the one ormore arms extending into the channel from a second partition of theneighboring partitions.
 11. The organizer assembly of claim 1, furthercomprising a plurality of splice modules removably connected within eachof the plurality of organizer trays, each of the plurality of splicemodules including one or more overmolded portions.
 12. The organizerassembly of claim 1, comprising: an organizer base insertable at leastpartially into the interior of the basket; a connector shaft connectableto the organizer base, the connector shaft extending from the first openend of the basket along the longitudinal axis, wherein the connectorshaft connects the plurality of organizer trays to the organizer base.13. The organizer assembly of claim 1, the plurality of organizer trayscomprising main body, the main body comprising a base wall, and a firstsidewall and a second sidewall spaced apart along a lateral axis, andwherein the positioning tab extends from one or both of the firstsidewall or the second sidewall to the positioning slot at the base wallof the adjacent organizing tray.
 14. The organizer assembly of claim 13,wherein the plurality of positioning slots is defined in an exteriorsurface of the first sidewall or the second sidewall.
 15. The organizerassembly of claim 1, wherein the positioning tab of the organizing trayis insertable into a different positioning slot of the neighboringorganizer tray when rotating from the first position to the secondposition.
 16. The organizer assembly of claim 1, wherein the pluralityof hinge assemblies is stepped along the transverse axis from thebasket.
 17. The organizer assembly of claim 16, wherein the plurality ofhinge assemblies is spaced apart in a linear array along the transverseaxis.
 18. The organizer assembly of claim 17, wherein the positioningtab of the organizing tray is insertable into a different positioningslot of the neighboring organizer tray when rotating from the firstposition to the second position.
 19. The organizer assembly of claim 1,wherein the positioning tab inserted into the positioning slot of theneighboring organizer tray stacks the plurality of organizer trays in avertical array.